Friday, February 17, 2012

The upbringing of Muslim children (3)

AFTER BIRTH

PHYSICAL CARE

Breastfeeding

It is best that the mother nurses her child as her milk is the most beneficent nutrient for him and she is more merciful to him than any other woman. Allah said: “The mothers shall give suck to their children for two whole years, that is for those who desire to complete the term of suckling.” (Qur’an 2:233)

Modern research proved that the mother’s milk strengthens the child’s immune system at a time when the child is most vulnerable.Ibn ‘Umar, radiallahu ‘anhu, reported that a group of merchants arrived to Madinah and settled in the mosque. So Umar told Abdurrahman ibn Awf, radiallahu ‘anhu, “Let’s guard them tonight from thieves.” So they spent the night watching and praying as much as Allah had destined to them. Umar heard the weeping of a child so he went towards him and told his mother:

“Fear Allah and be good to your child” and he went back to his place. He heard the child crying again and told his mother the same thing and went back to his place. By the end of the night he heard him crying again so he told his mother: “You are a bad mother, your child did not sleep all night.” So she said: “I am trying to wean him but he refuses.” He said: “Why are you doing that?” She said: “Because Umar does not prescribe child support except for children who are already weaned.”

He said: “How old is he?” She said: “Such and such.” He said: “No! Do not hurry him.”Umar prayed Fajr and was weeping during the prayer to the extent that his recitation was barely understandable. After he made tasleem he said: “Misery is for Umar. He has killed Muslim children.” He then asked someone to make the call that people should not rush their children to weaning, child support is prescribed to every child. And he sent letters to that effect to all the Muslim land.” (The History of Umar ibn al-Khattab by ibn Aljawzy, pages 74-75.)

Spending for all the needs of the child

Thawban reported Allah’s Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, as saying: “The most excellent Dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the Dinar which he spends on his animal in Allah’s path, and the Dinar which he spends on his companions in Allah’s path.” [Muslim.]

BEFORE
BIRTHChoosing the right spouseReligion is the most important criterion
in choosing the right spouse. Abu Hurairah, radiallahu ‘anhu, narrated
that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “A woman is
married for four things: her wealth, her family status, her beauty and
her religion. So marry the religious woman if you do not want to be a
loser.” [Bukhari and Muslim.] Choosing a spouse who is observing the
correct Islamic behaviour in life will establish the Muslim home on
sound...

AT
BIRTHMaking Athan and Iqamah in the ear of the newborn baby.Abu Rafi,
radiallahu ‘anhu, reported that he saw the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi
wa sallam, making athan in Hasan’s ear when Fatima gave birth to him.
(Related by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmithi who said it is an authentic
hadith). This is to make the words that glorify Allah the first ones to
reach a child’s ear and affect his heart.The second wisdom is to prevent
the Shaitan from getting close to the unborn child. Abu Hurairrah,
radiallahu...